Cornelius the Centurion

Cornelius the Centurion was a Roman centurion who was one of the first gentiles to be converted to Christianity.

Biography
Cornelius was a centurion in the Cohors Italica of the Roman Army, and he was stationed at Caesarea during the 1st century AD. He was a God-fearing man who was full of good works and deeds of alms, and he received a vision in which an angel of God told him that his prayers had been heard, and the angel instructed Cornelius to send troops to Joppa to find Saint Peter. Peter accompanied Cornelius' men back to Caesarea, and Cornelius fell to Peter's feet when they first met; Peter raised Cornelius to his feet, and they discussed their visions. Peter told Cornelius of Jesus' ministry and the Resurrection, and Cornelius spoke in tongues and praised God. Peter then commanded that Cornelius and his followers be baptized, and Cornelius was among the first gentiles to be converted to Christianity. He would later become the first Bishop of Caesarea.